EVENTS

Winners of the 2023 Destin Boat Parade

On Sunday night, the Destin History and Fishing Museum held their 37th Annual Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade along the Destin harbor.

Even with chilly and windy weather, this year’s parade had 34 boats participate. Here are the winners:

• Private 30ft & Under – SpitFire
• Private 31ft and Over – Salty Jack
• Charter 30ft and Under – HiLiner
• Charter 31ft and Over – Big John of Florida
• Tour Boat/Motorized 50 ft. & under – Lazy Day
• Tour Boat/Motorized 51 ft. & Over – Sunny Lady
• Harbor Heritage Award – Cruisin Tikis Destin
• Best Overall – Bucket List

Congrats to the winners!

GIVING BACK

Okaloosa STEMM Academy’s Roeckers wins inaugural “Thank A Teacher” Award

Robert Roeckers, a first-year teacher at Okaloosa STEMM Academy, has been named the inaugural recipient of the “Thank A Teacher” recognition program — a new initiative to honor exceptional local educators.

• The program is a collaboration between the Okaloosa County School District and HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital.
• Community members can visit the Thank A Teacher website year-round to nominate standout teachers who make a difference in students’ lives.

Roeckers, who teaches aerospace and serves as an advisory teacher at the middle school STEMM magnet program, was chosen for his “undeniable enthusiasm and commitment to fostering a love for learning,” administrators said in a news release Tuesday.

Since starting at Okaloosa STEMM this academic year, Roeckers has quickly become a favorite among his students — using an innovative, fun teaching style to make topics engaging for adolescents.

“This year is Mr. Roeckers’ first year of teaching, but the way he acts makes his classes fun and enjoyable, you would think that he has been teaching for quite some time,” one grateful student remarked. “He also is very kind to his students and everyone else on campus, and will always greet you with a smile.”

Roeckers was recognized at the school and received $250 from HCA Florida Healthcare, which operates HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital in Okaloosa County.

December nominations for the Thank A Teacher program are open. You can visit the Thank A Teacher website to express your gratitude for your favorite teacher!

BUSINESS

White-Wilson Medical Center layoffs 

On Friday, December 8, White-Wilson Medical Center notified employees of a company downsizing. As part of the reduction, 36 employees were impacted.

• Eliminated positions were in areas of business operations such as coding, insurance and call center or remote positions, according to WWMC.
• No clinical positions or positions directly tied to patient care were impacted. 

In White-Wilson Medical Center’s 77-year history, this is the second reduction in workforce, according to the Center. The first of which took place in April 2020, during the height of the pandemic, with the majority of positions being furloughed in light of declines in demand.

WWMC says the recent reduction was made in an effort to reduce costs. 

“Negatively impacting an employee is never an easy choice, but in this case, we found that we had to restructure certain business functions to protect our ability to provide care to our patients and our community,” said White-Wilson Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kenneth Persaud. “We’re committed to helping our impacted employees navigate this time and have a process in place to offer them resources and support.”

While the layoffs impacted approximately 8 percent of the company’s workforce, Persaud assures that plans are in place to continue investing in bringing health care services to the area. 

• “The economics of health care are really challenging right now, but the demand for care is great,” he said. “I am confident that by reevaluating how we do things we will be able to emerge from our economic challenges better positioned to invest in increasing access to care for our community.” 

White-Wilson Medical Center is home to more than 80 health care providers, and according to the One Okaloosa Economic Development Council, one of the 10th largest employers in Okaloosa County.

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton Counties Traffic Advisory

Okaloosa County:                                  

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – The week of Sunday, Dec. 10, drivers can anticipate a new traffic configuration on Brooks Street, from Florida Blanca Place to Perry Avenue. The Brooks Street one-way travel lane will shift slightly south to provide space for the future foundation of the Brooks Bridge. Additionally, drivers may experience traffic disruptions Sunday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 14, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility work and construction activities in the following locations:
  • U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Ferry Road and Pier Road.
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.

• U.S. 98 Bridge Rehabilitation over East Pass Bridge – Drivers may encounter intermittent single-lane closures on east and westbound U.S. 98 over East Pass (Marler) Bridge, Sunday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 14, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. to complete work list items The existing 35 mph speed limit will be maintained during construction.

• Mary Esther Boulevard (State Road (S.R.) 393) Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to Beal Parkway (S.R. 189) – Drivers may encounter intermittent inside lane closures on Mary Esther Boulevard for median construction:
  • Sunday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 14, from U.S. 98 to Hollywood Boulevard, between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 10 through Saturday, Dec. 16, from Hollywood Boulevard to Beal Parkway, between 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

• S.R. 85 Resurfacing from north of Commerce Drive to Bill Lundy Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic impacts:
  • Intermittent daytime single-lane closures on north and southbound S.R. 85, from Airport Road to Butler Road, Monday, Dec. 11 through Thursday, Dec. 14 to place sod. 
  • Intermittent nighttime single-lane closures on southbound S.R. 85, Sunday, Dec. 10 through Saturday, Dec. 16, between 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.

• S.R. 285 Resurfacing from S.R. 20 to S.R. 293 – Drivers may experience intermittent north and southbound S.R. 285 lane closures, Sunday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 14, for milling and paving operations. Lane closures may occur between the following roads:
  • John Sims Parkway (S.R. 20) and Palm Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Palm Boulevard and S.R. 293 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Josie Road to Florida Place Southeast – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, from Mary Esther Boulevard to Florida Place Southeast, Sunday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 14, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for paving operations and construction activities.

• U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance from Mary Esther Drive to S.R. 85 in Mary Esther – Drivers will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures Monday, Dec. 11 through Thursday, Jan. 11 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.

• U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance from S.R. 85 to Victory Lane – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Dec. 11 through Friday, March 1 for storm hardening operations on the powerlines.

• S.R. 123 Routine Bridge Inspection over Tom’s Creek – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 85 Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine bridge inspection.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Widening from Mack Bayou Road to County Road (C.R.) 30A – Drivers will encounter intermittent, alternating lane closures for the U.S. 98 east and westbound travel lanes, from Mack Bayou Road to C.R. 30A, Sunday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 14 between 7:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. These closures are required for crews to place asphalt overbuild at intersections throughout the project limits.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to Peach Creek – Drivers may encounter nighttime intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, Sunday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 14, from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.

• U.S. 331 Turn Lane Operations at C.R. 282 (Segrest Road) – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Dec. 11 through Friday, Dec. 15 from turn lane operations.

• S.R. 20 Routine Bridge Inspection over Dismal Creek – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures east of Bruce Thursday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine bridge inspection.

GIVING BACK

Forever Warriors donates $5,000 to JROTC program at Fort Walton Beach High School

On Monday night, Forever Warriors donated $5,000 to the Fort Walton Beach High School JROTC program during the Okaloosa County School Board meeting.

• Forever Warriors is a nonprofit funded by Step One Automotive Group to support past, present and future U.S. service members, and is led by Air Force veteran Tiffany Orner.

“I served about 20 years ago, but when I served, the Air Force was well into 600,000 members strong. Now, just 300,000. And that’s just our Air Force,” said Orner, a third-generation military member and second-generation female Air Force veteran.

After meeting with the high school’s JROTC team a few months ago and learning about their work, Orner said she asked what support they needed. Funding was one need that stood out.

The donation aligns with Forever Warriors’ mission to aid military mental health, transition and sustainment, and community immersion programs.

• “I’m not here to revert the wheel. I’m here to add value to the systems and programs already in place and support America’s next military,” Orner said.

“I want to thank you guys for your commitment to potentially being America’s next set of military members,” said Orner to the students and leaders at the meeting.

THINGS TO DO

Sandestin’s family-friendly ‘Gourmet Holiday Fest’

A holiday fest offering gourmet foods, over 40 wines and nearly 20 bourbons will take over The Grand Lawn at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort on Saturday afternoon.

• The resort’s “Merry & Bright: A Sandestin Gourmet Holiday Fest” takes place Dec. 16 from 3-6 p.m. and features wine and liquor tastings from top vineyards and distilleries. 
• Full bottles can also be purchased at discounted prices.

A special auction bottle of 10-year-old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon is up for bid, with all proceeds going to benefit The Sandestin Foundation for Kids charity. Other featured bourbons include selections from Remus, Garrison Brothers and Stagg.

On the wine side, Prisoner, Frank Family Vineyards, Daou, Beaulieu Vineyard’s Tapestry label and Stags Leap Cellars will be open for tasting. The event venue along Florida’s Emerald Coast will offer bite-sized holiday foods to complement the flights.

• Niceville-native Jared Herzog, from NBC’s “The Voice” as part of John Legend’s team, will provide live musical entertainment.

In addition to the wine and food tastings for adults, family-friendly activities include photos with Santa Claus, a holiday arts and crafts corner for children along with nonalcoholic drinks.

The public is welcome to attend. Tickets are $75 for attendees ages 21 and up, which includes all food and drink tastings. Guests ages 13-20 can take part for $35 with food tastings and nonalcoholic beverages, while admission for children 12 and under is just $25.

The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is located along Florida’s emerald green waters in Miramar Beach. “Merry & Bright” event tickets are available by clicking here.

SCHOOL

Okaloosa School District receives ‘A’ rating from the state for 2022-23 academic year

For the eighth year in a row, the Okaloosa County School District received an overall “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education, as the latest reports were released on Monday.

Fourteen schools in Okaloosa also earned “A” grades this year:

• Niceville Senior High School
• Laurel Hill School
• Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College
• Ruckel Middle School
• Okaloosa STEMM Academy
• Destin Elementary School
• Destin Middle School
• Edge Elementary School
• Plew Elementary School
• Florosa Elementary School
• Bluewater Elementary School
• Antioch Elementary School
• Liza Jackson Preparatory School (Charter)
• Northwest Florida Ballet Acadamie (Charter)

“I could not be more proud of our students,” Chambers said during Monday night’s board meeting. “But also our teachers, staff, and administrators at the school level who work so hard each and every day.”

The district earned 68% of the possible points this year, representing a 5 percent increase over 2022, according to Chambers’ remarks. The superintendent credited the growth to the “OCSD family” of students, teachers, staff and administrators working together toward students’ betterment.

Chambers emphasized that no schools dropped a letter grade this year. Ten schools increased their grade, with Laurel Hill, Edge and Florosa improving from a “B” to an “A,” and Bob Sikes, Riverside, Wright, Shalimar, Elliott Point, Mary Esther and Kenwood moving up from a “C” to a “B.”

Learning gains were not factored into school grades for 2023 because of the implementation of a new state assessment. Chambers indicated that area has been a strength for district schools in the past.

• “When the ‘learning gains’ are a part of the calculation, we’ll see even greater success for our students,” Chambers said. “And again, this is on the backs of our students and our teachers and staff and administrators of what they do each day in this school district.”

Additionally, five schools received an incomplete “I” grade — Fort Walton Beach High School, Choctawhatchee High School, Destin High School, Eglin Elementary School and Crestview High School. Chambers explained that the state requires schools to test at least 95% of students to receive a regular A-F letter grade.

• The district will appeal the incomplete grades, as it successfully did last year for schools facing similar situations, according to Chambers.

“We talk up here about the OCSD family and it takes everybody together working to do things as a school district,” Chambers said. “I always say that we’re definitely not a perfect school district, but we definitely strive to work hard.”